The Saginaw City Council adopted two ordinance changes on Monday, Aug. 24, as the city moves towards legalizing recreational marijuana within city limits. The move comes after the council previously approved other ordinance changes relating to issues such as recreational marijuana facility licensing and zoning issues on Aug. 11.
The first ordinance prohibits the consuming of marijuana products in any manner or form in public places within city limits or smoking marijuana in a private place where prohibited by the property owner, according to an article on Mlive.com.
“Violations of this chapter shall be deemed a public nuisance in accordance with chapter 94 of this code of ordinances, and any person who violates this chapter is responsible for a class C municipal civil infraction,” reads the newly approved ordinance.
Meanwhile, the second ordinance focuses on the consumption of tobacco products as well as marijuana products and sets the groundwork for regulations in city parks, according to the article.
The ordinance reads, “For purposes of this section, smoke or smoking means possessing a cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar, hookah, or pipe that contains tobacco, marijuana, or any other product that is lit or burning; lighting a cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar, hookah, or pipe that contains tobacco or any other product; or exhaling smoke from burning tobacco or any other burning product that is contained in a hookah, pipe, cigar, cigarette and/or e-cigarette.”
According to the ordinance, no individual is allowed to engage in any of the aforementioned activities and smoking in any city park, including, any playground, tennis court, community center or outdoor athletic complex owned by Saginaw, according to the article.
Violating the ordinance could result in a fine of $50, according to the ordinance, and community service may be ordered in lieu of a fine.
Both ordinances will become effective as of Sept. 3, and changes were unanimously approved by the City Council, with no discussion or objections.